Tuesday, November 25, 2008

December Newsletter On-Line

My hunch is that you have heard that song a number of times already this year. There is a great deal of pressure during Advent and Christmas. Not the least of these pressures is the pressure to be happy. That pressure can make the sadness we feel even more poignant.

Christmas is for many of us a painful reminder of what we have lost. From losing a loved one to a son or daughter moving away from home, to a relocation, you name it, Christmas can be a time that highlights our loneliness.

We want to recognize that. In addition to our celebratory services we are adding a service, “Tidings of Comfort” a special reflective service to acknowledge the blue in our Christmas. It will be a service of readings, music, candle lighting, and silence.

This service is open to the public and will take place, Monday evening, December 15th at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.

The beauty of the Incarnation is that at the darkest the light shines.

We hope you will have time to join us in all of our celebrations and services this Advent season, including Dances of Universal Peace on December 7th, our progressive dinner, December 14th, and our Christmas Dinner, December 21st with communion. The theme is Colonial Christmas as we celebrate our 225th anniversary (I guess it is 226 by now!) : )

Sunday morning, December 21st we will have a special music Sunday. We will also have a Christmas Eve service at 10 p.m. with candlelight and music.

Throughout Advent we will have alternative giving opportunities. Look for detailsin the White Spire.

I leave you with these words from the theologian/poet, Howard Thurman:

When the song of the angels is stilled,When the star in the sky is gone,When the kings and princes are home,When the shepherds are back with their flock,The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,To heal the broken,To feed the hungry,To release the prisoner,To rebuild the nations,To bring peace among brothers,To make music in the heart.